Marianne Mjelva

Hi! My name is Marianne, and I'm a Canis instructor in Oslo & surrounding areas.

I'm 36 years old and live in Lørenskog with my gun dog, a Labrador Retriever bitch named Tilja. We compete in class 3 in both competition obedience (LP) and rally obedience. When we have the opportunity, we also train working dog sports – search and rescue and field search.

Dogs have been a major interest since I was small. When my family finally got a dog in 2005 – a wonderful Cocker Spaniel bitch – I began spending my time learning about how to raise an obedient and happy dog. Together we completed several courses: puppy class, everyday obedience, agility, obedience, and later we took courses in tracking and freestyle.

Eventually I stumbled across clicker training, and I haven't really looked back since. Behaviour analysis is now the most exciting thing I know!

Otherwise, I'm trained as a teacher in Norwegian and social studies from the University of Oslo, and have worked as a teacher for several years. Now I'm back to working as an instructor full-time.

You're very welcome to get in touch. I hope to see you on a course!

A selection of my education, courses, work and experience with dogs:

2023–2025: Worked as a teacher in animal science on the dog line at Natur Upper Secondary School, whilst working as an instructor.

2019–every summer: Instructor gathering at Sølen with focus on working dog training.

2021: Weekend course for advanced search and rescue (working) with Morten Egtvedt.

2020–ongoing: Participate annually as a VIP observer at Canis' instructor course. Many skilled guest lecturers and updated syllabus every year.

2019–2020: 1-year ELITE COACHING in competition obedience with the incredibly skilled Lotte Nordli – world champion, Nordic champion AND Norwegian champion in obedience 2023!

2018–2019: Canis' 1-year clicker training instructor course as an ordinary participant.

2018: Seminar and workshop with animal training legend Bob Bailey and Simon Prins.

2017–2018: Canis' 1-year clicker training instructor course as an observer.

2015–2016: Instructor training at "Hundens Utbildningsakademi".

2012–2013: Canis' 1-year clicker trainer course.

2013: Seminar: Behaviour Adjustment Training for Aggression, Frustration, & Fear with Grisha Stewart.

Various courses in everyday obedience, tracking, freestyle, obedience, agility etc.

In addition, I have 5 years from the University of Oslo and am an adjunct with additional training (so I'm trained as a teacher and educator).